RAV4 vs. CR-V vs. CX-5 vs. Vezel: Jamaica's Compact SUV Shootout, Priced From Real Listings
Prices as of 14 July 2026
Ask Jamaica what car to buy in 2026 and four names come back: RAV4, CR-V, CX-5, Vezel. On 14 July 2026 they accounted for 689 listings on Beego between them — the most crowded fight in the market. Everybody has an opinion; we have the prices. Here's the whole segment, from actual listings, not showroom talk.
The tale of the tape (every listing, 14 July 2026)
| Listings (14 Jul 2026) | 2016+ typical range | 2016+ mid-market | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 193 | J$2.88M–J$7.2M | J$5.25M |
| Honda CR-V | 185 | J$2.9M–J$6M | J$4.5M |
| Mazda CX-5 | 51 | J$2.5M–J$4.58M | J$3.75M |
| Honda Vezel | 260 | J$2.58M–J$5.45M | J$3.65M |
Read that middle column twice, because it's the whole article: for the same model year, the RAV4 badge costs roughly J$1.5M more than a Vezel and about J$750K more than a CR-V.
What each one is actually for
RAV4 — the market's default, priced like it. 193 listed, mid-market J$5.25M for 2016+. You pay the most going in, and you get the most back when you sell — Toyota tax works in both directions. A 2020 RAV4 at J$4.6M was what fair looked like in July.
CR-V — the family-first pick. 185 listed. Biggest back seat and boot of the four, and a mid-market J$750K under the RAV4's. A 2018 CR-V at J$3.98M shows the value: RAV4 money buys a CR-V two years newer. Manchester alone held 53 of them in July — cross-shop there.
CX-5 — the one that's hard to find. Only 51 listed, the scarcest of the four. It drives the nicest (nobody seriously argues this) and the 2016+ mid-market of J$3.75M undercuts both Toyota and Honda. The catch is choice: with so few on the island you take the spec that exists, and resale is a slower phone. A 2020 at J$3.7M is the honest middle of that market.
Vezel — the quiet value king. 260 listed — more supply than RAV4 or CR-V — and the cheapest mid-market of the lot at J$3.65M. It's smaller inside than the other three; call it 80% of the SUV for 70% of the money, with hybrid fuel bills. If the badge doesn't matter to you, the Vezel is the deal in this segment, and a 2019 at J$3.45M proves it.
The budget route: go 2010–2015
Drop back a generation and the whole fight reprices: 2010–2015 RAV4s center around J$1.99M, CR-Vs around J$2.2M, early Vezels (2014–15) around J$2.33M. Same badges, roughly half the money — that's where the smart first-SUV buyers shop.
The verdict
- Buy the RAV4 if resale value is part of your plan.
- Buy the CR-V if the family is the mission — most metal per dollar.
- Buy the CX-5 if you find one — enthusiast's pick at a discount.
- Buy the Vezel if the money matters more than the badge. On numbers, it wins.
Every figure above comes from the listings on 14 July 2026. For today's prices, start with the model pages (RAV4 · CR-V · CX-5 · Vezel), set your budget filter, and compare at least five before you call anybody.